blizzard

American  

[bliz-erd] / ˈblɪz ərd /

noun

1. Meteorology.

   1. a storm, technically an extratropical cyclone, with dry, driving snow, strong winds, and intense cold.

   2. a heavy and prolonged snowstorm covering a wide area.

2. an inordinately large amount all at one time.

   a blizzard of Christmas cards.

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verb (used without object)

1. to snow as a blizzard.

   Looks as though it's going to blizzard tonight.

blizzard British  

/ ˈblɪzəd /

noun

1. a strong bitterly cold wind accompanied by a widespread heavy snowfall

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blizzard Scientific  

/ blĭz′ərd /

1. A violent snowstorm with winds blowing at a minimum speed of 56 km (35 mi) per hour and visibility of less 400 m (0.25 mi) for three hours.

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Other Word Forms

• blizzardly
  adjective
• blizzardy
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of blizzard

An Americanism first recorded in 1820–30 for earlier meaning “violent blow, shot”; compare British dialectal (Midlands) blizzer, blizzom “blaze, flash, anything that blinds momentarily”; probably expressive formations with components of blast, blaze ¹, bluster, etc.

Explanation

A blizzard is a large winter storm, characterized by heavy snowfall and accompanied by high winds. We're not talking flurry or a snowsquall. It's the kind of snow storm you read about. If you had to shovel 5 inches of snow off of your sidewalk, the snow storm was probably just a snow storm, an annoyance perhaps but not a blizzard. A blizzard is a huge snowstorm that results in the disruption of normal activities. Offices close, schools are shut down, streets are snow-packed, and people stay at home. The word can also be used figuratively, to mean "a rash" of something — like the blizzard of insurance forms you had to complete after surgery.

Example Sentences

He and his Sherpa emerged from their tent into 50-mile-an-hour winds, a blizzard so fierce that Whittaker couldn’t see his feet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

A low-level job at a local radio station led to an on-air position at its TV affiliate, where Kavanagh’s big break came in 1978 when a massive blizzard hammered the Northeast.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

It was only last year that a bicycle kick was scored during a blizzard in the CPL final between Atletico Ottawa and Cavalry FC.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

I started roasting fruit to make better smoothies — fruit that tasted like itself instead of diluted memory, lost in a blizzard of ice and almond milk.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

Once they passed a snow machine in operation, with the Cloud-Men turning the handle and a blizzard of snowflakes blowing out of the great funnel above.

From "James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl

Related Words

• gale
• precipitation
• squall